Originally coined by Shakespeare in the opening line of Richard III: "Now is the Winter of our Discontent / Made glorious summer by this son of York", written around 1592. It was used to describe Richard III (from the house of York), feeling discontented in living in a world that hates him. The term has since then been used in various forms, such as 'The winter of discontent', describing the winter of 1978–79 in the United Kingdom during the Labour party pay caps of the time. It was also used 'Now is the winter of your discontent!' by Stewie Griffin in the TV show family guy before Stewie attacks Brian with a snow-cannon.

A man and his family are sat in their house in the middle of winter with no money and no front door. The man says "Now is the winter of our discontent"